We’re now over half-way through the school year. If you managed one, we hope you had a good break over the half-term period. This week’s message contains an attendance update and a reminder about two things that were communicated earlier in the week.
Attendance matters
The overall whole-school attendance figure up to the end of Spring 1 is 95.3%. That’s a small drop since the end of the Autumn term – in most cases, that’s because of Covid. However, well done to the three Y5,6 classes where attendance has gone up since December.
- Sunshine class: 93.7%
- Rainbow class: 95.4%
- Class 1A: 95.9%
- Class 1,2B: 95.1%
- Class 2C: 95.6%
- Class 3,4A: 95.7%
- Class 3,4B: 96.9% – the highest in school – well done, 3,4B!
- Class 3,4C: 93.2% – it’s great to see this figure rise after being hit by a high number of Covid cases in the Autumn
- Class 5,6A: 95.3%
- Class 5,6B: 96.0%
- Class 5,6C: 94.4%
Russia-Ukraine war
On Monday evening, we sent an email to let you know we’d be speaking with children about the current crisis. Children in Key Stage 2 had an assembly about this. Children in Key Stage 1 had a shorter discussion in class. We had no plans to speak with children in Foundation Stage unless a child raised it, in which case we’d respond in a very ‘light’ way.
Children coped well. They seemed to appreciate being told some basic facts and being provided with some reassurance. In case you missed it, we provided some website links so that you can support your child more:
- Supporting your child if they see upsetting content online about what is happening in Ukraine (Childnet)
- How to talk to children about what’s happening in Ukraine and World War Three anxiety (Metro)
- How and when to talk to children about war, according to a parenting expert (Independent)
- How to cope with traumatic news – an illustrated guide (ABC News, Australia)
- Talking with Children About War and Violence in the World (Family Education, US)
- Tips for parents and caregivers on media coverage of traumatic events (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, US)
Covid caution continues
You’ll know that the government issued new advice about self-isolation and testing. This letter from Leeds Children and Families Team sets out what the new guidance is. If you’ve not already done so, do take a minute or so to read it.
Next week’s message comes from Mr Wilks, who leads on Science and Topic subjects – it’s about our current Computing topic.